Very Very Happy

New York’s Bush Tetras are a much-revered outfit from the early 1980s, credited with helping birth the post-punk movement that sprouted at the time in the UK and New York. After breaking up in the early ‘80s and pursuing other musical projects, original members — vocalist Cynthia Sley, guitarist Pat Place, bassist Laura Kennedy, and (lone male) drummer Dee Pop — reunited on a few occasions, most recently in 2007 to record six new tracks (1-5 and track 10; Julia Murphy is sitting in for Laura Kennedy on bass) for Very Very Happy. Opener “Nails” is a new song, and Sley’s vocals are a revelation: they’re lighter than ever, sounding surprisingly feminine and melodious, more like a singer than a growling, trapped animal … more Debbie Harry than the Swan’s Jarboe. Other new tracks include the staggering, slide-guitar heavy  “Punch Drunk” and the tragic shark-biting tale, “Jaws,” older tunes from the band’s repertoire that never made it to the recording studio. Gems from the vault, “Point That Gun” and “Stare You Down,” were recorded back in 1981 with all the raw and muscular energy the Tetras were known for. While several versions of their underground “hit,” “Too Many Creeps” already exist, you really can’t have too many; this one is driven by a fatter, more “rock” sounding guitar that gives a whole new life to the much-admired seminal track.